- MKO Abiola queries Sharif’s arrest
The United States government has called on President Muhammadu government to improve in terms of the rising insecurity in the country.
Northern youths had taken to the street to protest the killing by armed groups and Boko Haram in their communities.
The US expressed regrets over the rising attacks in Nigeria in a statement it released on Thursday.
“We condemn the recent senseless and brazen killings of civilians in northern Nigeria.
In recent weeks, suspected ISIS West Africa militants launched multiple attacks in Borno State, killing more than 120 civilians, including women, children, and the elderly,” the statement read.
“On June 9, unidentified armed bandits attacked a village in Katsina State, killing dozens.
“These horrific crimes follow the shooting of a pastor and his pregnant wife on June 1 and the killing of an imam, local village head, and several civilians on June 5 in the course of intercommunal violence in Taraba State.
“Tens of thousands of civilians have lost their lives in Nigeria in recent years to violent attacks by terrorist groups or criminal gangs, in inter-communal violence, or due to their religious beliefs. The United States calls on the Government of Nigeria to do more to strengthen ongoing efforts to address this violence, hold those responsible accountable, and protect civilians.”
President had approved a joint military and police operation to fish out the attacks in the north-west.
Arrest of Protesters
An opponent of the MKO Abiola in the June 12 Presidential election Bashir Tofa has advised the Nigerian government to release Nastura Sharif who was arrested following his group’s protest over the insecurity in the north.
Tofa described the arrest and detention as undemocratic.
Sharif is the Chairman of the board of Trustees (BoT) of the Coalition of Northern Group (CNG).
The group protested on Tuesday to express their disaffection over the insecurity in the North.
Reacting in a statement on Wednesday, Tofa said Sharif’s arrest is a bad example of intolerance in a democracy, calling on Mr President to order his release immediately.
He warned that failure to release him may trigger the unavoidable crisis.
“The arrest and detention of Alhaji Nasturah Ashir Sheriff, the leader of the Coalition of Northern Youth, is utterly wrong, undemocratic and a very bad example of intolerance. It is unwise and unjust,” Tofa said.
“Not even during sensible and caring military rules, would citizens demonstrate peacefully about a matter that worries the entire country and anyone to be arrested. Is this a notice that nobody is allowed to say anything or to express a view, even peacefully? Is this the Democracy Nigeria is showing to the world? We hope not.
“I appeal to the President to immediately order the release of this young man with an apology before a single match ignites the forest and conflagrate the entire North and eventually the country. So many people are angry about so many things.
If this collective anger is tickled and pushed by a few who may have started some illegal action somewhere, it will easily spread.
“The 2011 violence, destruction and death that occurred when it was rumoured that Gen. Muhammad Buhari was denied his victory will be a child’s play this time around. Nigerians are very angry! Insecurity everywhere, poverty, joblessness and now Covid-19, disease, despair and desperation have eaten deep into people’s patience and good sense.
“President Buhari should be very careful. He should begin to know and appreciate his true and sincere friends and get rid of his enemies, who do tremendous harm to his image and his own future well being and safety. He must remember that in three years, someone else will be President.”
